Visitor Activities

Hunting

Hunting is an important wildlife management tool that we recognize as a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime, deeply rooted in America’s heritage.

As practiced on refuges, hunting, trapping and fishing do not pose a threat to wildlife populations, and in some instances are necessary for sound wildlife management. For example, because their natural predators are gone, deer populations will often grow too large for the refuge habitat to support.

Hunting programs can promote understanding and appreciation of natural resources and their management on lands and waters in the Refuge System.

Fishing

In addition to the conservation of wildlife and habitat, the Refuge System offers a wide variety of quality fishing opportunities. Fishing programs promote understanding and appreciation of natural resources and their management on all lands and waters in the Refuge System. Every year, about 7 million anglers visit national wildlife refuges, where knowledgeable staff and thousands of volunteers help them have a wonderful fishing experience.

Fishing is allowed in season on specific areas of the refuge. For specific regulations, see the Refuge Hunting & Fishing brochure in the links menu.

Wildlife Viewing

If you enjoy getting outdoors and looking for wildlife, consider a visit ACE Basin! We offer a variety of recreational activities to all visitors including wildlife watching and photography.

From every state and all parts of the globe, about 40 million people visit each year, especially for the chance to see concentrations of wildlife and birds. The National Wildlife Refuge System’s extensive trail system, boardwalks, observation decks, hunting and photography blinds, fishing piers and boat launches encourage visitors to discover America’s best wildlife spectacles.

Interpretation

The Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
offers a variety of recreational activities to all visitors including archery
and muzzleloader deer hunting, waterfowl hunting, picnicking, hiking, fresh and
saltwater fishing, canoeing, wildlife watching, photography and environmental
education. Special events and programs are held throughout the year for
visitors to learn more about the ACE Basin and National Wildlife Refuges.

Environmental Education

National Wildlife Refuges serve many purposes, and one of our most important roles is as outdoor classrooms to teach about wildlife and natural resources. Special events and programs are held throughout the year for
visitors to learn more about the ACE Basin and National Wildlife Refuges.

Is your school, youth, environmental or other group interested in learning more about the wildlife, plants, habitats and ecology of a particular national wildlife refuge? Contact or visit Ernest F. Hollings National Wildlife Refuge to check on program availability and reservation policies. Refuges are wild places, and we want to teach you more about them!

Photography

The Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
offers a variety of recreational activities to all visitors including wildlife
watching and photography. Visitors may
see alligators, various shorebirds and waterfowl, neotropical migratory
songbirds, bald eagles, deer, foxes, and many other types of animals.